Market Update

The late Robin Williams once said “Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘let’s party’!” We couldn’t agree more.

It starts with asparagus, the gorgeous spears that poke up out of the soil as soon as there’s a hint of warm weather after the winter months. Around 95 per cent of the nation’s crop comes from the area around Koo Wee Rup in Gippsland, once part of a large swampland. 

Both our vendors, Jonella Farm and Raffa Produce, are based in the region, Raffa selling the rarer purple variety as well as the usual green asparagus. There’s not a lot of difference in taste but interestingly, the purple asparagus turns green when cooked.

Broad beans, peas and snowpeas also return to our plates, brightening up salads, appearing in free range egg frittatas, pasta and rice dishes, with soba noodles and quinoa. Try some ethical bacon with your broad beans (thank me later) and remember, you needn’t pod them if they’re young and tender.

Strawberries herald the season change in the fruit kingdom and we’re now seeing cherries at markets …  gratefully, given the wild rain and hail that has affected some growers.

When the party shoes come out, collect your provisions from our artisan stallholders to wow the guests with minimal effort. A dollop of Shuki and Louisa’s harissa in the centre of their hummus is a winner.

Make a platter of it with fermented Powerkraut vegetables on the side, a couple of Blue Bay cheeses, Panton Hill or Villa Pilleggi olives, slices of Woodfrog Bakery bread and a truffle butter from Myrtleford Butter Factory. Golden Axe cider,

Tanjil wines and fresh orange juice provide refreshment and a posy from Peninsula Wildflowers dresses the table.

Bring on the silly season!